Noise Induced Hearing Loss & us

Noise can fill your ears, and put you in tears” Prolonged and repeated exposure to loud noise can cause noise induced hearing loss, a permanent hearing loss which affects the ability to understand normal speech.

What is noise-induced hearing loss
Hearing loss is becoming one of the most common occupational illness in our society. Every day, we experience various sounds in our environment, sounds coming out of the television, radio, household appliances and off course traffic.

Normally, these sounds measured in terms of decibels are at safe levels and necessarily do not damage our hearing. But the concern is when they are too loud, even for a brief time, or when they are both loud and long-lasting. These sounds can damage the sensitive structures in the inner ear and cause noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). NIHL can also be caused by a one-time exposure to a high intensity sound, such as an explosion.

How NIHL affects our hearing
Our hearing depends on a chain of events that changes sound waves in the air to electrical signals. Our auditory nerve then carries these signals to the brain through a complex series of steps translates it into a sound that we recognize and understand. When loud sounds over-stimulates the delicate hearing cells, it leads to the permanent injury or death of the cells. Once lost, hearing cannot be restored.

Who are affected by NIHL
Getting exposed to harmful noise can happen at any age. People of all ages, including children, teens, young adults, and older people, can develop NIHL.

What are the symptoms of NIHL?
The disease develops gradually, as a reason people may lose a significant amount of hearing before becoming aware of its presence. In the early stages, sufferers often report having to turn up the volume on the TV or have difficulty understanding speech in groups or in the presence of background noise.

Progressively, the hearing loss worsens and it becomes difficult to understand normal conversation, even in quiet, one-to-one situation. NIHL can be detected with a hearing test. As a matter of fact, early identification is essential in order to recognize the presence of NIHL and then take steps to prevent further hearing loss.

Preventing NIHL
NIHL is 100 percent preventable. We should be aware of the hazardous noise and how to practice good hearing health in everyday life. Just remember these three words to protect your hearing: Walk, Block and Turn: Walk away from loud sounds. Block noise by wearing earplugs or other hearing protective devices when involved in a loud activity and Turn the sound down on stereos and mp3 devices.

Levels of decibels (dB):

• Normal conversations – 60 dB
• A bulldozer – 85 dB
• Rock concert – 120 dB

Any noise above 80 dB can affect your hearing largely

Conclusions
In today’s world we are overly exposed to gadgets, particularly smart phone, iPods, tablets, indicating serious concerns. We often plug in our earphones most of the times while in travelling, in public places even at work, we are actually surrounded by a noise environment 24*7. Leading a noise filled lifestyle may gradually bring us close to Noise Induced Hearing Loss.

If you understand the symptoms of NIHL, give it a priority and consult an ENT Surgeonat the earliest and get a hearing test done. Remember prevention is always better than cure!

By:Dr. Pradeep Singh

Consultant ENT, Head & Neck Surgeon Continental Hospitals www.continentalhospitals.com Ph: 7799661661